'Struck him 3 times': Man arrested after shovel attack in Nanaimo, B.C.
Warning: This story contains graphic video.
Update: On Wednesday afternoon, Nanaimo RCMP said a 30-year-old Nanaimo man had been arrested after an alleged assault with a shovel.
RCMP are recommending a single charge of assault with a weapon.
The man has since been released with a promise to appear in court on April 5.
The original story can be found below:
A woman is in shock after what she witnessed in a McDonald's parking lot in Nanaimo, B.C. on Monday.
Nanaimo RCMP say they are on the lookout for a man following an alleged shovel attack.
"I never imagined that I would see somebody wielding a shovel, chasing a man," said the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.
"From what I saw, he struck him three times," she said.
The woman that shot the chaotic video showing the attack wants to remain anonymous as the man with the shovel is still at large.
"We’ve had prior contact with him," said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP on Tuesday.
The 60-year old victim who we are also not identifying was captured on the same cellphone video, and explained how it all started.
"He was pulling out. I gave him a courtesy beep and waved him to come along," the victim told Nanaimo RCMP.
"Then he stopped and he yelled out something," he said. "Then I saw him get out and he had a weapon."
That weapon was a shovel that the witness says he used to hit the victim.
"He chased him and hit him once in the back of the head," said the witness. "Somewhere he made contact on his body, I’m not too sure if it was his hips or his ribs."
"That was when he flew into my car and then he made contact with him again when he was running away from my vehicle," she said.
The victim told police he was taken aback by the incident.
"I got out not knowing he was crazy," said the victim. "Then he was swearing and he pulled a weapon and I thought, 'Oh my gosh,' and he chased me."
Eventually in the video, the man with the shovel can be seen getting back into his car with his three passengers.
"We have the licence plate number, we’ve identified who the driver is and we will be following up with him," said O’Brien.
The driver fled in his vehicle before RCMP arrived. O’Brien says the man could be facing significant charges.
"Assault with a weapon and uttering threats would be the two primary charges that that individual could be looking at," said O’Brien.
The victim will recover and did not require medical attention.
"I think once the adrenaline from the situation wore off, I’m sure he would have felt the pain of each time the shovel struck him," said the witness.
Police are asking that if you see the man in the video, do not approach him and instead call the Nanaimo RCMP.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
New analysis of Beethoven's hair reveals possible cause of mysterious ailments, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.